Grand Final Fever

**ShortHalfHead** · 17 September 2012, 01:33 PM

For those that follow the "horses for courses" theory, Penrith and St George shared the #3 dressing sheds at Blacktown on Saturday, with a perfect record.

This week we have Balmain (PD) and Illawarra (18's) in the winning rooms. Might be tough for Illwarra, against the SHEgurls, but I think that the Hillsters have lost their last 4 GF appearances, each as hot favourites.

If Uni NSW, Southern Power 18's and Manly Div 1 win, it would mean this years 9 flags (inc women) would go to 9 different clubs. Only 2 wins by Manly/Power or Balmain winning PD would see a single club win more than one flag.

Good luck to all teams competing on the weekend.

***Norris Lurker*** · 19 September 2012, 03:27 PM

Forecast for Saturday is partly cloudy, max 21. Earlier in the week they'd forecast showers, but that's no longer there.

**BeeEmmAre** · 19 September 2012, 11:34 PM

As I no longer have to be objective, but with no disrespect to the Dogs .....

For our boys Garry Bull and Josh Cass, and the great Troy Luff, I say, GO THE DOCKERS!

**Monty Burns2** · 20 September 2012, 11:17 AM

Originally posted by BeeEmmAre

and the great Troy Luff, I say, GO THE DOCKERS!

Would be ironic if Luffy lost a GF to the Dogs after leaving them to better his chances of winning one.

**Henry** · 20 September 2012, 01:10 PM

Originally posted by ShortHalfHead

For those that follow the "horses for courses" theory, Penrith and St George shared the #3 dressing sheds at Blacktown on Saturday, with a perfect record.

This week we have Balmain (PD) and Illawarra (18's) in the winning rooms. Might be tough for Illwarra, against the SHEgurls, but I think that the Hillsters have lost their last 4 GF appearances, each as hot favourites.

If Uni NSW, Southern Power 18's and Manly Div 1 win, it would mean this years 9 flags (inc women) would go to 9 different clubs. Only 2 wins by Manly/Power or Balmain winning PD would see a single club win more than one flag.

Good luck to all teams competing on the weekend.

The Illawarra boys will have their hands full against a top notch Eagles side as it is, but looking through the results they've played 3 finals with 18, 19 and 18 players respectively. If they could pull off a GF win with no bench it would be a monumental effort.

**northernspy** · 20 September 2012, 01:34 PM

I reckon the Premier Division Grand Final may prove to be a fantastic game.

The Dogs have the rampaging Rampe and the Lethal Lavery. The Dockers have a Tenacious Taggart and and evergreen Ericsson.

Enough of the Illiteration.... Just good to see some footy banter for a change.

If the Dogs can keep Taggart quiet, they will go a long way to winning the Medal. Kicked 6 last weekend to eliminate the Demons. And beware of Pearson at Fullback, this battle will be huge as he lines up on Lavery. They have had many great battles over the years and each will probably claim victory. Ericsson was supreme in the ruck last week for the dockers - rucked all day and gave his midfield first use 90% of the time. The young Tagliabue will need to step up to match it with him. Luff was good, but I reckon the Dogs will have a plan to make sure he doesnt float accross half back and rebound. Wilkie is fantastic and White is a big game player for the Dockers.

I hope we also get to see a running Gulden off the wing or Half back. His delivery into the forward line is superb and if he can hit Lavery every time he will damage the Dockers. Lavery needs to get a touch early to get the confidence up as he has been a bit suspect in front of goals at times this year.

My prediction, Dogs by less than 2 goals

The Illawarra boys will have their hands full against a top notch Eagles side as it is, but looking through the results they've played 3 finals with 18, 19 and 18 players respectively. If they could pull off a GF win with no bench it would be a monumental effort.

I find this very hard to understand that the rule about evening up is played in Finals. Illawarra have had a big advantage here all throughout the finals as the competing club has no idea how many players they will be able to play until just before kick off. I'm sure that if you told any team that they would need to play with 16 a side it would disrupt the team plan.

I agree in principle that this rule should apply during the season as we all know that numbers at underage level can fluctuate (parties, formals, exams, snow trips etc)

I certainly don't think an even up rule should apply when it comes to finals. There is no incentive to recruit players throughout the season. It is a serious black mark on our game that a team that is playing in the Grand Final, cant field a full side. That being said, they must be pretty good to do it without a full bench. In saying that, the eagles kicked 5 goals to none in the last quarter of the game last time they met. Maybe the extra players on the bench were a factor.

My prediction. Eagles by 2 goals

Div 1 - Manly - Enough Said
U18 Div 2 - Havent seen enough to make an informed prediction but let's go Southern Power to make sure the medals are shared across the competition.

**Triple B** · 20 September 2012, 02:15 PM

It's a shame the games are on Saturday, effectively clashing with the AFL.

I would have enjoyed a leisurely Sunday afternoon in the sun, on the hill having a look...

**chatovadafloor** · 20 September 2012, 03:38 PM

loopy apparently back for dockers too (would they select him as his win records in gf's isnt best).... 16 a side for a gf is a bit weird for the 18's

**justabaraker** · 22 September 2012, 08:04 PM

Who was the last UNSW-ES premiership coach ? They won back-to-back in 2001-2

**ShortHalfHead** · 23 September 2012, 09:01 AM

9 Flags, 9 clubs sharing. Last year there were no clubs winning more than one either, and I think it was close in 2010.

All the minor premiers taking the spoils yesterday.

Congratulations to all the premiers and good footy by the runner-ups.

**shearer** · 23 September 2012, 09:10 AM

Tim jones

**justabaraker** · 23 September 2012, 10:26 AM

Originally posted by shearer

Tim jones

Nice work Shearer and thanks.
I saw him at there BISP yesterday - he must have been rapt

***Norris Lurker*** · 23 September 2012, 11:03 AM

Was a very enjoyable day yesterday, with some good footy being played. Congratulations to Southern Power (U18s Two), Sydney Hills Eagles (U18s One), Manly (Div 1) and of course UNSW-ES in Premier Division.
None of the runners up disgraced themselves, and all were competitive. You have to feel for Illawarra in the Under 18s One, who were five goals up at half time and poised to pull off the boilover of the season but couldn't complete the deal.

I'll have the match report and some photo galleries up tonight - still got heaps of pics to sort through.

**justabaraker** · 23 September 2012, 08:04 PM

Originally posted by Norris Lurker

Was a very enjoyable day yesterday, with some good footy being played..

Yes Norris, enjoyable and good footy, but, hey, wasn't the crowd for Premier Division disappointing ?
I arrived part way through Div 1 (Manly v SPower) and the atmos was exciting. But, as soon as that game was over, the crowd left and Premier Div was pretty flat.

Why do you think ? Maybe two clubs with small supporter bases, maybe no-one cared, bit late in the day, other footy on TV.
But the years go by and the crowds just seem to get less and less

Grand Final Fever

Grand Final Fever

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